Now Playing in Japan

Are you a big import gamer? Does the presence of five manga-to-game conversions in this week's list make you feel all squishy? Then you've followed the right link!

This weekly section of IGN will keep you up to date on what games were released over the previous week in Japan. If you want to keep informed of the import scene, be sure and check back every week.

The following games were released between 03.21.05 and 03.27.05. Click on the name to see all of IGN's current coverage on the title.

PLAYSTATION 2

Azumi Publisher: ESP Developer: Gargoyle Mechanics Genre: Anime, Action; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 45K Developed by Gargoyle Mechanics, who previously worked with Sega on Shenmue and a number of other titles, Azumi is an action title based off a popular comic. You play as a character called Azumi and take on government-assigned missions involving assassinations, spying and so-forth. You have three different primary attacks, each giving your character a different stance as she moves about the battle field. You can also make use of knives and bombs as weapons. The game features characters from the original manga, some of whom appear as enemies.

Gakkou wo Tsukurou!! Happy Days Publisher: Marvelous Interactive Genre: Management, Simulation; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 810K This simulation titles makes you the principal of a school, placing you in charge of management and renovating the school grounds. You get to decide everything, including the creation of your campus and even the rules of your school. Communication with your students is also important to building a strong environment.

Get Ride! AMDriver Soukoku no Shinjitsu Publisher: Konami Genre: Anime, Action; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 6090 yen, Memory: 128K Konami brings the popular anime to the PS2. Playing as a warrior called AMDriver, your goal is to protect the people from a mysterious invader. Working with partner characters, you'll have to clear missions set in cities, buildings and even outer space. Prior to the start of a mission, you can purchase items from a shop in order to build up your character.

Gantz Publisher: Konami Genre: SF, Comic, Action, Adventure; Release: 03.17.05 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 80K Based on a popular comic, this action game places you in the shoes of main character Kurou as you face off against invading aliens in 3D battles set in locations pulled from the source material. Your choices in the game's conversation and story sequences affect your path through the game. In addition to raising and lowering your trust amongst friends, different choices earns you varying amounts of "Hero Points," giving you more powerful super moves in battle, and "Leader Points," giving you added ability to command your battle partners.

Shining Force Neo Publisher: Sega Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Action, RPG; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 128K The Shining Force series continues on the PS2, only this time it takes the form of a real time action-RPG. You team up with two other characters to save the world from a dark group called the Tsuki no Kenzoku, adventuring through the world and taking out all the beasts that you encounter. Making use of a Force Frame system, you build up Max, the game's main character, into a super warrior, upgrading him in such areas as HP, attack strength and magic strength. To deliver it's deep storyline, the game makes use of full voice and occasional anime movies.

World Soccer Winning Eleven 8: Liveware Evolution Publisher: Konami Genre: Soccer, Action; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 7329 yen, Memory: 2104K Konami at last takes the Winning Eleven series Online with this update of last year's Winning Eleven 8. In addition to network play, the game adds a number of gameplay refinements to its unrivaled soccer engine.

Bokura no Kazoku Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Developer: Millennium Kitchen Genre: Family, Simulation; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 3990 yen, Memory: 87K Following up on the charming and well-received Bokura no Natsuyasumi, in which you experienced summer vacation as a boy, SCE's latest has you experience life over a 35-year period, from marriage to retirement. One of the main points of the game is how your raise your children -- going with them to play, giving them advice for progressing through school and making career choices. When choosing places to take your kids, their personality parameters change. When your kids at last go job hunting, the options available to them will depend on what they learned in school. The game is filled with event scenes such as sports meets and the start of school.

Wild Arms: The Fourth Detonator Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Developer: Media Vision Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, RPG; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 24K The latest Wild Arms adds a new hexagonal battle system to the mix, making positioning an important part of battle. Also featured are platform-style elements for dungeons, immersive conversation sequences and, as a series first, voices.

Ys III: Wanderers From Ys Publisher: Taito Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Action, RPG; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 6090 yen, Memory: 200K The third entry in the classic Ys series of RPGs makes its way to the PS2 through Taito. A part of a remake of the PC original, the game now features high resolution graphics along with an arranged storyline and arranged music. Character portraits fill the screen during full-voice conversation sequences.

Yokushin: Giga Wing Generations Publisher: Taito Genre: Battle, Shooting; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 6090 yen, Memory: 90K The latest entry in Takumi's Giga Wing series of shooters arrives on the PS2, complete with the series' trademark "Reflect Force" system where you raise a barrier around your ship that launches bullets back at your enemy. Score is a big part of the game. What other game lets you get twenty digit scores?

Konjiki no Gash Bell! Yuujou Tag Battle 2 Publisher: Bandai Genre: Anime, Fighting, Action; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 7140 yen; Memory: 2 Blocks Bandai brings Gash Bell and the gang back for another round on the PS2 and GameCube, this time with both arriving simultaneously. In addition to the unique fighting system featured in the original title, the sequel adds a few new gameplay systems along with new characters. This game is set for stateside release under the name Zatch Bell.

XBOX

Spikeout Battle Street Publisher: Sega Genre: Action; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 7140 yen; Memory: 5 Blocks It took more than seven years, but Sega has finally brought its arcade brawler series home. Serving as a sequel to the original Spike Out, your goal is to once again defeat hoards of enemy assailants using punches, kicks and special moves. The game features four characters, all of whom can join in on the action in the Battle Street mode. Xbox Live play allows for players to get together Online for fights.

Nyan Nyan Nyanko no Nyan Collection Publisher: MTO Genre: Family, Board Game; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 4719 yen; Backup Feature Included "Nyan" is used in reference to cats in Japan, and sure enough, this game has lots of cats. Playing as a cat called Nyan Nyan Naynko, your goal is to become popular by pulling pranks and performing imitations. You role die to advance through a board, playing mini games and viewing events along the way.

Shin Sangokumusou Advance Publisher: Koei Genre: History, Action; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 5040 yen; Backup Feature IncludedDynasty Warriors goes 2D as it makes the trip to the GBA. Despite the change, the game is still all about defeating massive numbers of enemies using combos and super "Musou" moves. You'll find 200 weapons to collect throughout the title.

NINTENDO DS

Tantei Kibukawa Ryousuke Jikenbou: Kamen Genei Satsujin Jiken Publisher: Genki Genre: Detective, Adventure; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 5040 yen; Includes Backup Feature Genki's first DS game has the longest title the system has yet seen. Known amongst English speakers as The Masquerade Lullaby, this detective game centers on a case in which a murder depicted in a network videogame ends up appearing in real life. Playing as the game's designer, you work with detectives to find out who done it. The top screen shows memos as you play, with the bottom screen letting you touch people and things as part of your search.

Egg Monster Hero Publisher: Square Enix Genre: Comical, RPG; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 5040 yen; Includes Backup Feature Square Enix's first NDS game is a version of its oddball Hanjuku Hero series -- the first RPG for the series. You play as prince of the Alma Moon Kingdom and command Egg Monsters in battle. The game's battle system involves lots of touch-pen functionality as you drag your Egg Monsters towards the enemy.

Space Invader DS Publisher: Taito Genre: SF, Shooting; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 3990 yen; Includes Backup Feature Titled Space Invader Revolution in America, this title features a "new age" version of the classic Space Invaders, bringing the fight to countries throughout the world and having you deal with such obstacles as giant enemies and limited fire abilities. Classic Space Invaders is included as well.

Touch! Kirby Publisher: Nintendo Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Action; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 4800 yen; Includes Backup Feature Kirby makes the jump to DS, bringing over all his transformation powers, but adding a new touch-based control scheme in the process. You make use of rainbow-colored lines that you've drawn to push Kirby along and to protect against enemies. Touching Kirby with the pen makes him perform a special ability.

PLAYSTATION PORTABLE

Bleach: Beat the Soul Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Developer: Eighting Genre: Comic, Fighting, Action; Release: 03.24.05 Price: 5040 yen; Memory: 512K The recent Bleach cartoon gets its first videogame adaptation with this 3D PSP fighter -- the first 3D fighter for the system. The game features characters from the show, placing them each in a an individual storyline. Using points that you earn when clearing the game, you can unlock bonus cards.

That does it for this week's game list. Remember, if you want to keep ahead of the full Japanese scene, be sure and check out our weekly Gaming Life in Japan feature. We'll have this week's update shortly at IGN Insider.